Wait for it – Rafa Benitez seemed to be a happy man after the good 3-1 win over Brentford this afternoon in front of 51,885 fans and it could have been more than just 3-1 with a bit of luck and if we had taken more of the chances Newcastle created.
But it was Ciaran Clark and a brace from Dwight Gayle to take his tally up to 9 goals this season that was enough to give Newcastle an easy 3-1 victory and take us up to second place in the Championship.
A happy Rafa Benitez at St. James’ Park today
Shelvey had another excellent game in central midfield for Newcastle today and it prompted the manager after the game to talk about the gifted 24 year-old:
“Jonjo, I said before, is doing well, has confidence, has been working very hard during the summer to be fit and be at the maximum level.”
“He has the quality, so he can carry on with this vision and this control of the game. “The strikers will have more chances then, because the team will play much better.”
“It’s not just because he’s scoring goals. He’s working hard too. “Ayoze Perez was doing a great job between the lines, and then you can see the wingers and the midfielders running a lot, then the defenders too.”
“So the team as a team is doing a lot of things, and then you also have a striker who is good in front of goal so much better.”
Next up is Barnsley on the road on Tuesday night.
Here’s how we stand in the league table with Huddersfield playing Sheffield Wednesday at home tomorrow at 12:00 pm.
[table “54” not found /]
23 comments so far
JamesToon
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:27 PM
Comment #1Great win lads.
So far, 12 games in, we’ve had a better start than we did in our first 12 games of 09/10…promising
My lineup for barnsley (which im making the trip to)
Darlow
Anita Lascelles Clark Lazaar
Shelvey Hayden
Atsu Mitrovic Gouffran
Gayle
Jail for Ashley
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:29 PM
Comment #2I believe you Rafa, Munster thinks you should up your game though, not good enough senor!
Jail for Ashley
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Comment #3JT,
Can you not wait until Ed has posted his team like everyone else 😮
Jail for Ashley
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:33 PM
Comment #4JT,
Really looking forward to Barnsley mind, 6K of us should be making some noise if all goes well.
Mister Tuff
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:37 PM
Comment #5I got the score right – re the bingo – got the keeper and the back line right – then crapped out.
Belfast
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:37 PM
Comment #6Damm he’s back.
*Shreds Belfast bingo plans*
Ibizatoon
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:41 PM
Comment #7A great result today.
Each time I hear Rafa or read about him I can’t help but be impressed. Exactly the type of character this club has needed.
Jail…Good to see you’re about. Been away with work? The blog gave me the biggest laugh recently. You were used as an example of how to post on the blog. Who’d have thought it? I think you’re on course for poster of the season award.
Ibizatoon
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:41 PM
Comment #8Oh, Belfast is about.
Belfast
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:44 PM
Comment #9Relax just passing through
Ibizatoon
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:46 PM
Comment #10Belfast…Passing what through? Definitely relax. Don’t want you to hurt yourself.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:54 PM
Comment #11Charlie calling’
Just got in
Comfortable win – mm maybe – but when we went 3-0 nil up we lost the plot again and got sloppy with to many backpasses, hoofs and misplaced passes which a better team than Brentford would of capitalised on.
My Player markings
Darlow 7- had a decent game did nowt wrong and came and caught the ball – didn’t see what happened for the goal. Distribution good first half defence came short for roll outs – second when TOON let Brentford come onto us hoofed it long
Anita 6 – Another who had a decent game but his passing let him down
Lascalles 7 – another good game until went off with a niggle.
Clark 8 – Had a good game scored a good goal and some good blocks second half
Dummett 7 – defended well got up the line well but too many times wants to turn inside and pass back.
Colback 8 – the ginger Pirlo had a good game always available for a pass from Shelvey and today actually passed forward
Goufran 8 – good game linked up the defence and midfield – covered every blade of grass tackle passed – excellent
Shelvey 9 – MY MAN OF THE MATCH showed all his passing skills short long involved all game laid on two goals and involved for the other. Only thing lacking – seems to struggle in passing it long to his left – few times today Dummett had acres of space for the long ball but wanted to turn inside and pass to the right.
Perez 7 – Did ok – tried all game but drifted in and out of the game to much.
Missed two opportunities second half to make it four
Gayle 8 – excedllent today scored a good first goal and on the spot for Shelvey’s cut back – got to calm down when wound up.
Atsu 6 – FRUSTRATING – BLOODY FRUSTRATING took up some great positions had plenty of the ball but seem not sure whether to cross shoot or pass thus the end product was poor.
Subs
Hanley 4 – Don’t now if tired but looked like carthorse today
Yedlin 5 – Did well when he came on
Lazaar 5 – Defending looked week but created himself a great chance from nothing
Redf 2 – And that’s for turning – Don’t know how many bookings but only one worthy and that’s for their player bouncing the ball.
AND should of played advantage twice when we had a great opening but blew the whistle to bring the ball back for a free kick
Crowd 7 – great first half atmosphere but noise level dropped second half became anxious as we let Brentford come at us
Me – might of brought Mitrovich on for the last twenty minutes for Perez or Gayle as a outlet for the high hoofs upfield
Looking forward to the team selection for Tuesday at Barnsley
Toon Tang
Oct 15, 2016 at 6:56 PM
Comment #12Mon wolves letsbe avenue
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:20 PM
Comment #13Villa are in a bad way Wolves should be well ahead in this game
Mccormack looks wasted in this Villa team some of his skills are great but they just have no bottle
Toon will not have to worry about them catching up !!
What about the Mackems though? DEAD AND BURIED!!!
nufcursed
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:20 PM
Comment #14only downside and thing i can’t understand is why mitrovic, mbemba and perez ain’t getting games no more.
surely mitrovic must be wondering what he has to do to deserve more play time??
Jail for Ashley
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:21 PM
Comment #15Ibiza,
Been busy with a new job but got it finished this afternoon and don’t fly off till Monday in time for Barnsley. I sent you an email a few days ago.
Ron Knee
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:22 PM
Comment #16Defeat for Percy.
Jib
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:24 PM
Comment #17I had a great time today
Return to find this shit
SUTTY1978 // Oct 15, 2016 at 2:38 PM
The starting XI looks physically weak and lacking in height other than the CB’s.
Benitez says he’s not playing Mitro as he wants someone behind the striker who can offer defensive strength and then plays Perez there.
Weedy little Colback playing certainly doesn’t help.
I expect us to get overrun in midfield and unable to make the ball stick upfront
SUTTY1978 // Oct 15, 2016 at 4:16 PM
I said earlier we would struggle in the air with the team of short arses we have out today.
lukes26 // Oct 15, 2016 at 3:58 PM
i dont think hayden’s looked very good defending, which is not good if you’re a defensive midfielder
Hayden was an unused sub FFS
Who are these guys ?
Do you think their team got done over by Stoke ?
Moonraker15
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:24 PM
Comment #18Charlie the only reason Jonjo won’t pass to Dummett is that he would only turn inside and pass it back such is his ambition in going forward ie zero. He’s not a bad defender but useless going forward!
Jail for Ashley
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:25 PM
Comment #19nufc cursed,
Perez played today?
Jail for Ashley
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:27 PM
Comment #20Jib,
Now you know how we feel when we read your bollix 😀
Moonraker15
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Comment #21Jib
Some people are only happy when moaning! Probably Mackem interlopers as you say!
Ibizatoon
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:33 PM
Comment #22Jail…I’ll take a look. Haven’t been on there for a while.
Good to hear you’re in lots of work. Not to be taken as a dig that I’m happy you’re off the blog, of course 🙂
toontaff2
Oct 15, 2016 at 7:43 PM
Comment #23Nothing to add to Charlie’s comments/players’ marks out of 10.
Shelvey man of the match and Clark, Gayle and Colback also very good. If Atsu had put a few good crosses in after great runs, we could have easy got 6 or7.
The refs just keep getting worse – how low can they go?!
2 great chants from the corner – their ginger midfielder – “you’re just a shit Jack Colback” followed by their elderly looking no. 12, the bald midfeld sub- “you’re just a shit Jonjo Shelvey” – good job the corner made some noise second half!!